ICE consists of three directorates to accomplish the agency’s mission, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and Management and Administration (M&A).

ICE executes its mission through the enforcement of more than 400 federal statutes, and focuses on smart immigration enforcement, preventing terrorism and combating the illegal movement of people and trade. (read more)

Learn more about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, including facts about investigations, immigration enforcement and removal operations, and management and administration information. (read more)

To ensure openness and transparency and to better serve those seeking more information about ICE and its operations, the agency centralized processing of all ICE-related Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests in a single office.

ICE Newsroom

Authorities dismantle 2 major Los Angeles-area drug labs

More than 160 pounds of methamphetamine seized

Authorities dismantle 2 major Los Angeles-area drug labs

LOS ANGELES — Federal and local investigators took one suspect into custody and seized more than 160 pounds of methamphetamine late Wednesday night following the discovery of two large-scale drug labs in separate residences in Van Nuys and Pomona.

The enforcement action is the result of an ongoing probe spearheaded by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in close collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the El Monte and Santa Monica police departments.

After obtaining state search warrants, investigators entered the unoccupied residences and found supplies of a chemical commonly used to refine methamphetamine, along with drying equipment, scales and packaging materials. It took specially-trained officers with LA IMPACT's Clandestine Lab Team until late Thursday to dismantle both operations and remove any hazardous materials.

"Drug making operations like this are a major public safety menace," said Claude Arnold, special agent in charge for HSI Los Angeles. "First, stockpiling volatile chemicals in residential areas is a disaster waiting to happen. Then there's the threat posed by the meth itself. We've all seen how quickly this drug can destroy lives once users become caught in its powerful grip."

The drug labs were discovered after investigators stopped and questioned Alan Tamayo-Montoya, 25, a Mexican national suspected of serving as a runner for a methamphetamine trafficking ring. Tamayo was taken into custody in a Van Nuys mall parking lot. He was subsequently booked into the El Monte City Jail where he is being held on $2 million bond. Tamayo is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Los Angeles Criminal Court for possession of methamphetamine for sale.

"Over the past year, we have started to see an increasing number of drug labs in our area," said Briane M. Grey, DEA acting special agent in charge in Los Angeles. "By joining with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, we will continue to identify and dismantle those threatening our communities with poisonous labs and drugs."

Investigators conservatively estimate the wholesale value of the seized methamphetamine at close to $2 million. The street value, though difficult to calculate precisely, would be at least three times that amount.

Related Information

Media Inquiries

For media inquiries about ICE activities, operations, or policies, contact the ICE Office of Public Affairs at (202) 732-4242.